Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'depression'

English Word: depression

Key Russian Translations:

• депрессия [dʲɪˈprʲesːɪjə] - [Formal/Informal, Psychological Context]
• уныние [ʊˈnɨnʲɪjə] - [Informal, Emotional State]
• тоска [tɐˈska] - [Informal, Melancholic Nuance]

Frequency: High (especially "депрессия" in modern usage)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; "депрессия" is easier due to its similarity to English, while "уныние" and "тоска" require cultural nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

депрессия: [dʲɪˈprʲesːɪjə]

Note on депрессия: Stress on the second syllable; the "р" is rolled slightly, and "е" sounds like "ye".

уныние: [ʊˈnɨnʲɪjə]

Note on уныние: Stress on the first syllable; the "ы" is a unique Russian vowel, pronounced as a short, dull "i".

тоска: [tɐˈska]

Note on тоска: Stress on the second syllable; a short, open "o" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Clinical or Psychological Depression

Translation(s) & Context:

• депрессия - Used in medical, psychological, or everyday contexts to refer to clinical depression or a depressive state.

Usage Examples:

• У неё диагностировали депрессию после потери работы.

  She was diagnosed with depression after losing her job.

• Депрессия может повлиять на физическое здоровье.

  Depression can affect physical health.

• Он борется с депрессией уже несколько лет.

  He has been struggling with depression for several years.

2. Sadness or Low Mood (Non-Clinical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• уныние - Refers to a state of despondency or low spirits, often temporary or situational.
• тоска - Implies a deeper, melancholic longing or sadness, often with a poetic or cultural connotation.

Usage Examples:

• После неудачи он впал в уныние.

  After the failure, he fell into despondency.

• Зима всегда наводит на меня тоску.

  Winter always brings melancholy to me.

• Его взгляд был полон тоски и грусти.

  His gaze was full of melancholy and sadness.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

депрессия (Noun, Feminine, 1st Declension):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	депрессия	депрессии
Genitive	депрессии	депрессий
Dative	депрессии	депрессиям
Accusative	депрессию	депрессии
Instrumental	депрессией	депрессиями
Prepositional	о депрессии	о депрессиях

уныние (Noun, Neuter, 2nd Declension): Follows standard neuter noun declension; no plural form in common usage.

тоска (Noun, Feminine, 1st Declension): Follows standard feminine noun declension with regular endings.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for депрессия:

• хандра (informal, mild depression or blues)
• меланхолия (literary, melancholic state)

Synonyms for уныние/тоска:

• грусть (sadness)
• печаль (sorrow)

Antonyms:

• радость (joy)
• веселье (cheerfulness)

Related Phrases:

• впасть в депрессию - to fall into depression
• выходить из депрессии - to come out of depression
• тоска по родине - longing for homeland (homesickness)
• уныние грешно - despondency is sinful (a cultural saying)

Usage Notes:

• "депрессия" is the most direct and widely understood translation for clinical or severe depression, often used in both formal and informal contexts.
• "уныние" and "тоска" are more nuanced and typically describe emotional states rather than medical conditions; "тоска" often carries a deeper, almost poetic sense of longing or melancholy.
• Be mindful of context: using "уныние" or "тоска" in a medical discussion might confuse native speakers, as they are not clinical terms.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "тоска" to describe clinical depression. Wrong: У меня тоска, мне нужен врач. Correct: У меня депрессия, мне нужен врач. (I have depression, I need a doctor.) Explanation: "тоска" implies emotional longing, not a medical condition.
• Error: Mispronouncing "депрессия" with English stress patterns. Explanation: Stress must be on the second syllable, not the first as in English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "тоска" is deeply tied to the concept of the "Russian soul," often associated with a profound, inexplicable sadness or yearning. It appears frequently in literature and music, reflecting a cultural acceptance of melancholy as a natural state of being. Understanding this nuance is key to using the word appropriately.

Related Concepts:

• грусть (sadness)
• печаль (sorrow)
• хандра (the blues)